Hi, this is Erik, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. Almost a year ago, around Christmas 2022, I started having slight abdomen pain and a slight loss of appetite. After bouncing around to a few doctors, I ended up at Mayo Clinic, where I was told I have a rare cancer called cholangiocarcinoma, which is Stage 4.

There is no obvious reason as to why I have this cancer, as I have none of the risk factors/genetic markers and am much younger than the typical age that people get this cancer. My cancer has always been inoperable due to the number of tumors scattered across my liver and bile ducts, so I have been doing various chemotherapies since my diagnosis. However, none of them have shrunk my tumors, and I have recently been too weak to continue.

I have fought so hard to try and find a treatment that will work by going to Iowa City, Mayo Clinic, City of Hope, and Cleveland Clinic, as well as trying alternative therapies. While I’ve tried not to give up hope, I’m extremely saddened to say that my time here is likely very limited.

A few months before my diagnosis, I lost my job, and finding a job with cancer has been difficult. It’s now November, and my insurance is about to run out, so I hope to raise money to help cover continued expenses, eventual memorial services, and the remainder will be given to my three amazing children: Devon, Rowan, and Cooper.

If my story resonates with you, please consider leaving a donation and sharing my story with family/friends.

Also, while I am still currently on the side of the living, I would love it if you shared your favorite/funny memory together so I can relive the glory days one more time.

Lived the dream,

Erik